Five Canadian fintech stocks to watch in 2018

VersaPay CEO Craig O’Neill.Canada’s fintech sector grew by leaps and bounds in 2017, but there’s still a lot more disruption ahead say the field’s proponents, who contend that the traditional banking system will continue to be forced into an adapt-or-die mode by emerging technologies. There’s blockchain and cryptocurrencies to contend with, of course, but fintech supporters also see demographic shifts to be fundamentally altering the marketplace, arguing that there’s a no-ticeable generational gap when it comes to banking habits and proclivities. Polls show, for in-stance, that millennials are far more comfortable with financial services like mobile payments and robo-advisors than are Gen X and baby boomers. So while the big banks keep trying to play catch-up in 2018, here are five fintech notables for investors to keep an eye on. Mogo Finance Technology (TSX:MOGO) Online lender Mogo was a top tech performer in 2017 and many are predicting more of the same for the new year. The company says it’s on board with catering to the new generation’s financial interests, providing “mobile first” banking and, forthcoming, the launch of its blockchain-backed MogoCrypto service to handle members’ digital currency transactions. At the end of December, Mogo closed a $26.25 million bought deal, a financing that is aimed at supporting the company’s digital plat-forms and products.